TRU

Today the sun finally sets on Toys R Us stores across the United States, as they close their doors for the final time.

It’s sad to say a final goodbye to the store that was such a huge influence in the lives of so many children who grew up to be collectors like us. Then you also realize that the next generations will not have that feeling of pure joy as they won’t be walking into a Toys R Us store in their lives.

Share with us your thoughts and feelings, both in the comments, and in our forum here

In news that should surprise no one (sadly), Toys’R’Us has shut down its website amid it’s current liquidation. If your only means of visiting TRU was online, we’re sorry to advise that it’s no longer an option. Noted on the TRU.com website upon visiting is the following:

Thanks for visiting. We have shut down the website for any purchases but our brick and mortar stores are open and holding going out of business sales. You can keep up-to-date with the sale at http://goodbuytoysrus.com and liquidation-going-out-of-business-FAQs. We encourage you to stop by your local store and take full advantage of the deep discounts and deals available. Thank you for your business and support over the years.

Sincerely, Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us teams.

Now that the website is shut down, will you be stopping by a brick & mortar store to say goodbye to Geoffrey one last time? Sound off on the Cobra Island Forums.

With all the sad news of Toys ‘R’ Us closing its doors, this bit of news should hopefully lift your spirits. Isaac Larian, a toy manufacturer who gave the world Bratz dolls and the current hit toy LOL Surprise, has launched a crowd-funding campaign to save Geoffrey! Larian, chief executive of California-based MGA Entertainment Inc., a privately held toy and entertainment company, and other investors have pledged over $200 million. They want to raise another $800 million in order to make a $1 billion bid to acquire “all or some Toys R Us assets through the bankruptcy process.”

You can be a part of this historic movement to #SaveToysRUs by donating today! Your donation will help to ensure that generations to come can “always be a Toys“R”Us kid” and save employee jobs that are at stake should the company cease operation. The deadline for reaching the $1 billion goal is Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. The funds collected through this campaign would be used in the formulation of a bid to acquire some Toys“R”Us assets through the bankruptcy process. This is not a charitable donation, and certain donor disclosures apply.

You can get the full details by visiting the campaign page listed above. Will you be joining in to help save Toys’R’Us? Sound off after the break on the Cobra Island Forums!

Sources from around the web have shared word on the liquidation sale announced by Toys ‘R’ Us. According to Gizmodo (whose story can be linked back to USA Today), clearance sales at all stores begin tomorrow, Thursday, March 22nd.

If there’s something you’ve been holding off on buying, (like that hidden cache of 50th Anniversary G.I. Joes), now’s the time to start buying. Will you be stopping by to say goodbye to Geoffrey one last time? Sound off on the Cobra Island Forums.

The end of an era. We grew up with Toys”R”Us, so the news of it closing its doors for good feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.

Just a week ago, we brought you word that Toys ‘R’ Us Is Prepping to Liquidate Its U.S. Operations. Now, the news that many of us have been dreading to hear…Toys ‘R’ Us is prepping to shut down operations. So many fond memories will be left behind – Finding new joes in the aisle, Geoffrey’ big book at Christmas, the excitement of after school trips…just the joy of being a Toys’R’Us kid.

Although online shopping played its part in bringing down TRU, the company’s biggest problem was this: TRU was saddled with billions of dollars in debt; So much, in fact, that their debt stopped it from making the necessary investment in stores. That translated to an unpleasant shopping experience that doomed the chain. The company told employees Wednesday that it would close or sell its US stores after 70 years in business.

From all of us here at Cobra Island, thanks for everything, TRU. Hopefully there’s a Hail Mary that can save you so future generations can have the same experiences we did. Share your thoughts with us after the break on the Cobra Island Forums.

In news that shouldn’t be all that surprising, word spread across the internet yesterday that Toys ‘R’ Us is prepping to liquidate its U.S. Operations. Bloomberg shared the following:

Toys “R” Us Inc. is making preparations for a liquidation of its bankrupt U.S. operations after so far failing to find a buyer or reach a debt restructuring deal with lenders, according to people familiar with the matter.

While the situation is still fluid, a shutdown of the U.S. division has become increasingly likely in recent days, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Hopes are fading that a buyer will emerge to keep some of the business operating, or that lenders will agree on terms of a debt restructuring, the people said.

TRU has been one of the few go-to locations to find G.I.Joe product in recent years, so this is a big blow to those individuals that still enjoy the thrill of the hunt. For those of us that grew us as “Toys ‘R’ Us Kids”, this news is definitely heartbreaking. Let’s hope that TRU is able to fix its woes. What’s your take on this latest bit of disheartening news to hit Toys ‘R’ Us? Will you be happy to see them go, or do you hope they’ll dig out of the hole? Share your thoughts with us after the break on the Cobra Island Forums.